support the Colombian U'wa

say no to oil exploration on indigenous lands

On 17 January, trucks carrying drilling equipment entered U'wa territory in Colombia.
The government decided in December 2006 to reinitiate plans for oil exploration in U'wa areas, despite a long history of opposition by the U'wa people.
This area has been recognized as U'wa territory since 1802, and the right of the U'wa people to occupy and use the land is protected under the Colombian constitution.
Yet the government have given the go ahead for oil exploration, without the consent of the U'wa people.
Asou'wa (Asociación de Autoridades Tradicionales y Cabildos U’wa) has asked the office of the “Defensoria del Pueblo” for a commission to verify the rights of U'wa people to their land.
Please support this urgent struggle for the U'wa people to be able to decide for themselves how best to protect and use their land.

Call for support from CENSAT/Friends of the Earth Colombia.